Orderprocess- Hur svårt kan det vara?

Sammanfattning: Purpose: The study aimed to analyze and visualize the flow of information from the arrival of a complex customer order, until complete technical documentation is submitted to production. To answer the purpose, two questions were formulated. 1. How is order flow from order to production ensured in complex customizations? 2. How can the order flow be visualized to create a united picture in a manufacturing company? Method: To answer the two questions of the study, theory has been collected using literature studies. The theory gathered forms the basis of the study's analysis and has therefore focused on order flow, how these can be designed, how the order process goes on and can be managed, and how an order process can be visualized. Theory obtained in literature studies was summarized in a theoretical framework. The study's empirical data collection consisted of a case study focusing on the ordering process that included document studies, interviews and observation. The empirical data pattern was then compared to the theoretical framework. Based on the pattern comparison, question 1 could be answered and the basis for the visualization discussed in question 2. Findings: The outcome of the study's first question shows how order flow can be ensured from orders to production at manufacturing companies engaged in customized production. The order process and its flow of information can be effectively and safely summarized in nine steps, from the creation of standards to manufacturing production orders. Steps one to three are defined as the initial and most critical phase in which the customer is in focus. Steps four to six concern the internal communication between different departments to process and build a correct order. The final phase includes steps from seven to nine and describes the fulfillment of orders prior to production. The reason for visualizing and creating a united picture of the order flow according to question two is affected by the outcome of question one. The study shows that the order flow can be visualized by establishing a flowchart of the activities in the order flow. The design depends on its context and how the activities in the order process are implemented. Based on this, the principle of creating a visual image is general, but with details that are considered case-specific. Implications: The study contributes theoretically based on a general context about how analysis and visualization of information within the order flow can be handled. The report becomes a reference point for securing the order flow as it is based on previous research linked to the report's areas. The study provides practical support with a basis for ensuring and visualizing the order flow of manufacturing companies for customization. Limitations: The study is a one-case-design study in a specific context where general theory and case unique empirical data have been combined, which affects generalisability. This was compensated by the fact that the company in the study represents manufacturing companies of customized products. Context and order process design affect the visualization and limitations in predicting the outcome. Simplification to ensure order processing rather than solving specific problems in the flow has been of interest.